Students from various universities in Caracas gathered peacefully and in high spirits at the Bolivarian University of Venezuela (UBV) to stage a march in support of the constitutional amendment that Venezuelans will vote on in a referendum on February 15th.

Héctor Rodríguez, a leader in the youth wing of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) was at the march and emphasized that the demonstration is evidence that a majority of Venezuela students support the process of change led by President Hugo Chávez.

“We Bolivarian students cam here today to say ‘Yes’ to the amendment, ‘Yes’ to the revolution, and this march is just the first step Venezuelan youth and students in the country will take to show that a majority of Venezuelan students favor a ‘Yes’ [vote],” said Rodríguez.

He noted that this mobilization will be an example of the true civic-mindedness of Venezuelan youth, a majority of which support a ‘Yes’ vote for the constitutional amendment.

“Today we will show that the youth are not the ones who go out to burn Waraira Repana [a forested National Park in Caracas], that go out to throw stones [and] burn tires, because we revolutionaries, we the Chavista people, respect the rights of all Venezuela and we will go out in high spirits, changing ‘Yes for true democracy’ and ‘Yes for the amendment’,” emphasized Rodríguez.

The youth leader urged the opposition forces engaged in confrontation, exemplified by various acts of violence and destabilization, to stop saying this vandalism is done by students.

“They are not the true students of the homeland. The true students, the true youth, is hear today in peace, with very high spirits and chanting ‘Yes to the amendment’ and ‘Yes to the Bolivarian Revolution’,” explained Rodríguez.

The march, which will begin at the Bolivarian University of Venezuela founded by President Hugo Chávez in 2003, will end at O’Leary Plaza. This plaza is the site of various events in support of amending Articles 160, 162, 174, 192 and 230 of the Constitution. Should the amendment be approved, it will lift term limits on elected officials who wish to run for the same office.

Students from UBV, the National Bolivarian Armed Force Polytechnic University (Unefa), the University College of Caracas, Misión Sucre, Misión Ribas and other schools will take part in the march.